Christmas celebration organized by Danish Pakistani Business Council in collaboration with Pakistani Embassy Denmark and the Pakistani Christian community.

Friday, December 22, a Christmas function was organized at Bronshoj Church for the Christian community, in which around 125 people participated, including the Pakistani Christian community.

At the beginning of the event, Tariq Sundoo, CEO of the Danish Pakistan Business Council, addressed the attendants, welcoming everyone to the program. Special recognition and honour was given to the Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Shoaib Sarwar, along with his spouse Sana Sarwar, and the the Danish Ambassador to Pakistan, Jakob Linulf and his spouse Fang Wang, and all Embassy Staff.

On behalf of DPBC and DPV, we would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this event and especially the Bronshoj Church for hosting, as well as Pastor Mia Lund, Pastor Izzat James, and Nawaz Salamat.

The final address was given by the Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Shoaib Sarwar, who wished the Christian community a merry Christmas and happy New Year on behalf of the Pakistani Embassy. He remarked how surprised he was that such an event had not been organized before and consequently floated the idea to Tariq Sundoo who then took the initiative to arrange the event along with a lovely dinner. He ended his address by appreciating the contribution of the Christian community to Pakistan, noting that interestingly many Pakistani leaders have received education from Christian school in Pakistan.

Bashy Qureshi also addressed the congregation, extending welcome on behalf of the DPBC and thanking the Pakistani Embassy for being a part of the event. He further remarked that he has known Tariq Sundoo since he was 14, and wished everyone a merry Christmas, mentioning also how the 25^th of December is also the birthday of Quaid-i-Azam and appreciation of Pakistani Independence. He remarked how happy he was to see the organization of the event, especially to see Pakistani Muslims and Pakistani Christians united in the spirit of celebration and unity. He finished with a remark that it is our ambition that we celebrate Christmas as well as Eid together in future.

Khalid Butt from Odense then addressed the audience, noting how surprised he was by the initiative to celebrate Christmas with Christian Pakistani in cooperation with the Christian community, an event that had never been organized before. He expressed sincere gratitude to Tariq Sundoo, both Ambassadors, and all the participants.

The final address was given by the Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Shoaib Sarwar, who wished the Christian community a merry Christmas and happy New Year on behalf of the Pakistani Embassy. He remarked how surprised he was that such an event had not been organized before and consequently floated the idea to Tariq Sundoo who then took the initiative to arrange the event along with a lovely dinner. He ended his address by appreciating the contribution of the Christian community to Pakistan, noting that interestingly many Pakistani leaders have received education from Christian school in Pakistan.

Report by: Zain Ali, Louise Jensen & Suhail Sundoo: Photo: Tommy Häggmark